“I will keep you forever, Charlotte. I will never let you go.”
We look at each other one last second before he steps back from me, staring deep into my eyes with a love for me that only he can have. The love that tells me we are so much more than here and now. We are forever. We are complete.
Knowledge surges through me. Acceptance. The end. “Onika,” I say, but don’t bother looking at her.
“Yes, darling?”
“I think I understand the Need now. The purpose of the Forgotten.”
“Really?” She laughs, the noise cutting through the sound of the rain. “Well then, by all means, educate me.”
I look sideways at her. “The Forgotten are the only way the light can touch people. By being among them we can spread love and hope. We dodge the Shadows so that the light can shine.”
“Wow, Charlotte. That’s truly inspiring.”
“But that’s not all,” I say. “I’ve realized something else.”
“Which is?”
“That maybe I’m also here to stop you.”
Onika’s lips curve into a wicked grin. “That’s almost sweet. But I’ll be honest, love. You’re not nearly strong enough to take me out.”
I nod. “Not yet.”
Onika’s jaw tightens and she hops down from the railing, her boots making a loud clapping noise on the pavement. She begins to walk away, but then turns back to look at me. “I’ll be seeing you on the flip side, Charlotte,” she calls. “Enjoy the fall.”
Suddenly I’m hit hard with a jolt of hot electricity. I scream until my throat burns.
My golden skin is tearing and little cracks of light are escaping right through my clothes. But as the light escapes, the burning is replaced with something else. Pure relief.
I find a way to lock eyes with Harlin again. And I smile at him, knowing he loves me. He’ll remember me.
And then I close my eyes and let go of the cable, the feeling of tipping backward both exhilarating and powerless.
Wind is blowing past me and I open my eyes to look at the bridge above me. But I see only Harlin. And as I fall, he mouths,I love you.
The world around me is silent. And then there is an explosion of bright yellow light that extends to forever. A flow of emotion and heat pouring from me, illuminating the entire night sky. Illuminating the entire world. And in my last second, all I think is: It is so beautiful.
